Iron pans will heat up. One can always test with a magnet.
I don’t quite understand why an enamelled iron pot would get damaged, but maybe the heat transport to the content of the pan is too slow. Then the iron at the underside could get too hot.
(I had a physics demonstration where I had iron sheet from an electrical transformer on an induction cooker. It started glowing! So don’t try this on a sit 
)
Love the technical knowledge! 
As it was in with the saucepans etc and clearly used, it’s a natural assumption that they use it, unless there is another stove top.
I had an induction hob for a number of years then suddenly it cracked when I put my usual pan on it and it no longer worked. I contacted the manufacturer who organised a replacement under the 10 year warranty. So maybe the HO can claim under their warranty,
If they didn’t tell you not to use that pan on the stove then you are not responsible for damages. It was their responsibility to tell you that only certain pans can be used. If they just said feel free to use all our pots, pans, etc, then the cost is on the homeowner. Not everyone would know that certain stovetops take certain pans unless you have that stovetop yourself at home.
Definitely your responsibility one way or another. Yes - the HO should have asked “do you know about induction stoves? Please be careful. Only use this, this or this on it.” Induction stoves are picky. You have to be careful about having stuff in the pots before you start them up, too cold of substances etc.
IMO we would tell them right away, document with pictures, explain exactly what happened and offer to pay. (assuming they have insurance and you would pay the deductible). Now if they Don’t have insurance…they will probably fight you on the costs. At that point, contact THS. See what they say. We would NOT pay $3K-$5K for a whole new oven because who knows how old it is, etc.
Then if it was wear and tear which could - and would - happen to anyone, at anytime, you cannot be held responsible for any repair costs or replacement.
Try not to worry. Electrical appliances don’t last forever, it sounds as if you’ve just been unlucky with the timing on this one.
I doubt they would get anywhere with a lawsuit.
ridiculous.
This is what home insurance is for. Something like this is not in the scope of the sitter to repair nor replace.
@Gabba
I suppose only if the policy includes ‘accidental damage’.
Its an option in the UK, and sometimes does not normally come as default
so? How is that a sitters responsibility if a host isn’t properly insured? @CRU , would you expect a sitter to pay for a new stove top if it happened at your home?
@gabba
Please don’t get aggressive, I’m merely pointing out that it may not be covered.
We are all just guessing but absolutely no need for your aggressive reply
I’m not being aggressive. I apologise you took it as such. I’m asking a question that I am curious to know the answer of: would you expect a sitter to pay for a new stove top if it happened in your home?
Absolutely not, if it was an accident then so be it. Accidents happen to all of us.
totally agree with you 
But, what the OP is describing is surely not ‘accidental damage’ but wear and tear?
You are stressing yourself out. You know, I know and everyone else knows the only way forward is to tell the host exactly what happened and wait for their reaction. Just send a very factual email with pictures then wait. Admit nothing. Offer nothing. Wait for a reaction then take it from there.
$3000 for an induction hob seems very pricey. I can only go by the prices in the UK but a top of the range, all singing, all dancing is £500. The pots and pans are actually more expensive than the hob. I and most astute people have extended warranty on my kitchen appliances. My apartment is rented out, fully furnished, so it makes sense to have this cover when people stay that have no idea how to use an induction hob. Also, my contents insurance covers it with a £200 excess. To be honest it wouldn’t be worth claiming as the hob was about £350 and my premium would go up next year.
Stop stressing and do the correct thing. Accidents happen.
If it is wear and tear, then no insurance policy will cover that. Gabba mentioned claiming on insurance, i just mentioned if accidental damage, it may not be included.
As none of us have seen any of this first hand, we are all speculating
@meggoose How are you managing to cook, now that the hob’s cracked? This must be a problem for you?
ha! good question. Getting creative with the oven, and we do have a plug-in induction cooktop (ironically enough) in the car if need be. Definitely will offer this to HO!
